Julia Bluen recounted to Glades Horne the encounter she had with Nicholas Coldwell just a moment ago.

She didn't want Glades Horne to take revenge on Nicholas Coldwell, but she felt it was necessary for Glades Horne to know. She didn't want to face Glades with any secrets, as it would make her uneasy, always feeling as if she were hiding something from him or had done something to betray his trust.

Besides, regarding the two men in black who had rescued her, she had a nagging feeling they were Glades's men. If she didn't tell him and he suspected something, he could find out anyway. It was better to be upfront, especially since it wasn't her fault.

After listening to Julia's words, Glades Horne hugged her fiercely and apologized in a low, remorseful voice, "Julia, I'm sorry."

To think I wasn't by her side when she was in danger.

Back at the hospital, when she had suddenly thrown herself into his arms, he had sensed something was amiss.

He hadn't expected that Nicholas Coldwell, a man who deserved to die a thousand times over, would relentlessly pester her.

Nicholas Coldwell really does have some skill, Glades mused. He actually managed to turn the tide against Helen Griffin's assault on Cosmos, winning back some clients Helen had poached and saving Cosmos from immediate crisis.

Glades smirked internally. A rival in love and competition! How interesting!

Fortunately, I had the foresight to hire four undercover bodyguards to follow Julia Bluen twenty-four hours a day to ensure her safety, otherwise...

Even though Nicholas hadn't actually assaulted Julia yet, I'm already enraged enough to want to tear him apart. If Nicholas really did assault Julia, I'd make the entire Powell Family pay a heavy price.

Who would dare lay a finger on my, Glades Horne's, wife? Only those with a death wish should try!

Julia shook her head. It wasn't his fault; it was that shameless villain Nicholas Coldwell's fault.

"Young Master, Young Mistress, we've arrived."

The bodyguard suddenly interjected. The car had already stopped in the parking lot of the Emperor hotel.

The two exchanged a glance but said nothing, walking hand in hand into the hotel.

「After lunch, it was already past one in the afternoon.」

Julia Bluen asked to go home; she had decided to go to the office that afternoon since her morning plans had been disrupted by Adele Horne's cold.

She wanted to drive herself to the office without Glades Horne's company.

Glades Horne didn't say anything and took her back to the Horne Family home.

Julia changed her clothes, putting on a black long-sleeve T-shirt, and over it a black double-breasted jacket that resembled a trench coat. The jacket wasn't too thick and wouldn't be too warm to wear at the moment. She also wore a pair of black skinny trousers and black high-heeled boots, with the trouser cuffs tucked inside. Such attire made her look mature, composed, and competent. As this was her first time returning to the company, and particularly in her role as a senior executive, she naturally wanted to project an air of maturity and competence.

Leaving her room and descending the stairs, she saw the old lady still sitting on the sofa, wearing her reading glasses and perusing the newspaper. Aunt Mei was not by her side, and there was no sign of anyone else; even Adele Horne, who had returned from the hospital over an hour ago, had retreated to her room to rest.

In the vast hall, only the old lady was present. A wave of loneliness washed over Julia.

Julia felt a deep tenderness for the old lady, who treated her like her own granddaughter, and resolved to make more time to spend with her.

"Grandma," she said affectionately as she walked over and sat down beside the old lady.

The old lady set aside the newspaper. Upon seeing Julia's all-black attire, her eyes lit up, and she chuckled teasingly, "Julia, if Glades saw you in this outfit, I guarantee his eyes would pop out. It's mature yet capable, capable yet coolly elegant and noble—absolutely stunning."

"Grandma," Julia chuckled, a little embarrassed. It's just a regular outfit, she thought, but the way Grandma describes it, you'd think I was incredibly glamorous!

The old lady glanced at the bag in Julia's hand and asked with a smile, "Where are you off to?"

"I'm going to check on the company."

The old lady nodded and gave Julia a few words of advice. Then, looking outside at the sky that was turning a bit gloomy, she said, "Take an umbrella with you; it looks like it's going to rain."

The weather was always unpredictable. The morning had been gloriously bright and sunny, leading everyone to believe it would be a rare, beautiful day. Who would have guessed that by afternoon, the sun would vanish—perhaps off for a siesta, or maybe it had lost a battle with the thick clouds—completely hidden behind a heavy, grey veil, causing the entire sky to turn overcast.

"Okay."

Julia stood up. She reminded the old lady to take an afternoon nap, said goodbye, then grabbed her bag, found an umbrella, and left the Main House, heading towards the parking lot.

While she was upstairs changing, Glades Horne had been sitting downstairs, chatting idly with the old lady. But when Julia came down after changing, Glades was nowhere to be seen. He must have gone back to the company, she assumed. Valence Group is so large, after all, and there are always so many things to deal with.

To her surprise, when she reached the open-air parking lot, she saw Glades leaning against her black Mercedes, hands in his pockets, looking somewhat languid. The two bodyguards were nowhere in sight.

"I thought you went back to the company."

"I'll take you to work," Glades replied, pulling his hands out of his pockets and moving away from the car. Once Julia unlocked it, he opened the driver's door and arrogantly claimed the seat.

Julia didn't move. She stood by the car window, clutching her bag in front of her. Her bright eyes held a smile, but her tone was a reminder, "Glades, I want to go by myself." Didn't he say he'd let me be independent? she thought. I told him I wanted to go to the company alone, and he agreed. Why the sudden change of mind?

"I'm free," Glades muttered, his low, husky voice unable to conceal his inherent dominance. His gaze, intense and captivating, fixed on Julia, implying he would become quite insistent if she refused his escort.

"There's more to do at the Group," Julia pressed her lips together, trying to use Valence Group as an excuse to deter him.

"Even if the sky falls, Ruiz will be there to prop it up for me," Glades said, his voice even deeper. His approach to work was always somewhat leisurely—well, truth be told, his capabilities were just so exceptional that he didn't need to be holed up in the office all day like other CEOs. Besides, he had several key figures in the group who handled most important matters. Unless it was something truly earth-shattering, it wouldn't even reach his desk.